Series Opening Slugfest Goes to Keys
Published on July 9, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
Facing the top pitching staff in the Carolina League on Saturday night, the Keys set a season-high with four home runs as Frederick defeated the Kinston Indians, 10-7, in the series opener. Tyler Townsend, Miguel Abreu, and Kipp Schutz hit back-to-back-to-back homers in the fourth inning of the Keys' victory. With the win, Frederick improved to 9-7 in the second half of the year and to 50-35 overall in 2011.
Kinston plated Saturday night's first run in the top of the first inning against LHP Nathan Moreau. CF Tyler Holt led off the contest with a walk. Holt swiped second base and scored two batters later when DH Jeremie Tice hit a RBI double down the right field line.
The Keys countered the K-Tribe's run with four in the home-half of the first. With two outs and knuckleballer Steve Wright on the hill, 1B Tyler Townsend lined a double to right field to start the two-out rally. CF Miguel Abreu followed with a single to right-center. Townsend scored from second as he slid under the tag of C Roberto Perez. Wright struck out LF Kipp Schutz after the Abreu RBI single but Schutz got on first via a passed ball. DH Tyler Kolodny, who was activated from the disabled list earlier in the day, made the K-Tribe pay. Kolodny launched a Wright knuckleball over the center field wall for a three-run shot. Kolodny's fourth home run of the year put Frederick in front 4-1 after one inning.
Tyler Townsend drove home SS Michael Rooney in the second to put the Keys on top by four after two innings on Saturday night.
Leading 5-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, Frederick put together one of their biggest innings of the 2011 season. With one down, 3B Dale Mollenhauer struck out but another knuckleball got by C Roberto Perez. With Mollenhauer at first, 2B Bobby Stevens walked to bring Tyler Townsend to the plate with two on and one-out. In his first game since July 3rd, Townsend took Wright to right-center for a three-run shot. Townsend's team-leading 12th home run of the year put the Keys ahead by six runs. But the Frederick was not done yet. Miguel Abreu followed with a solo blast to left and Kipp Schutz capped off the home run barrage with a solo homer to right.
It was the first time since April 23, 2005 (Dustin Yount, Mario Delgado, and Jeff Fiorentino) that the Keys hit back-to-back-to-back home runs.
The eight run deficit proved to be too large for the K-Tribe to overcome. Kinston plated three runs in the fifth, a run in the sixth, and one in the ninth but it was not enough as the Keys took game one of the series.
Despite allowing five runs over five innings, Nathan Moreau became to the first pitcher in the Carolina League to reach nine wins in 2011.
Offensively, Tyler Townsend finished the night 3-for-4 with a double, home run, and a season-high four RBI.
Game two of the three-game series between the Keys and the K-Tribe will take place on Sunday evening. RHP Ryohei Tanaka (5-2, 3.20) will start for Frederick while Kinston will send RHP Marty Popham (2-0, 2.91) to the hill. First pitch from Harry Grove Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Carolina League Stories from July 9, 2011
- Difazio Blasts Pelicans Over Blue Rocks - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Series Opening Slugfest Goes to Keys - Frederick Keys
- Blue Rocks Blow Late Lead and Fall in Extras - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Spruill, Early Barrage Overwhelm P-Nats - Potomac Nationals
- 'Cats Batter Nats - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Catcher's tenth inning homer gives Myrtle Beach first road extra-innings win - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Ruiz Deals, Brentz Produces, & Red Sox Roll 9-1 - Salem Red Sox
- Salem Silences Dash Behind Solid Ruiz - Winston-Salem Dash
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Kinston Indians Game Notes - Kinston Indians
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes - Winston-Salem Dash
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